The little walled mediaeval town of San Gimignano is one of the most popular, and in the right season, most peaceful, day trips tourists can enjoy from Florence. An excellent introduction to the Tuscan region, the city centre is easy to stroll while enjoying the scenery.
Its towering houses are iconic to Tuscany, making a simple walk about town, wholly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a pleasant morning activity. The Piazza della Cisterna and the Piazza Duomo are both good places to start. For art lovers, the Communal Palace holds an art gallery with works by Fiorentino, Michelino, Pinturicchio, and Gozzoli. The town is also quite famous for its one-of-a-kind white wine. The Vernaccia grape is unique to the region, and ordering a glass is a must-do in San Gimignano.
The quickest and most convenient way to reach San Gimignano without driving is by bus. There is a transfer in Poggibonsi. Visitors who prefer the train can take Trenitalia as far as Poggibonsi, but with no train station in San Gimignano, a bus is the only option for the second leg of the journey. The journey lasts 90 minutes to two hours, and self-drivers have just over an hour trip ahead of them.
The former site of a 3rd century B. C. Etruscan city, San Gimignano first earned its current name as early as 450 A.D. When the Saint of Modena protected the town’s castle from being ransacked by Attila the Hun, a church was dedicated in his honour, and San Gimignano’s mediaeval heydey entered full force. Today, it is one of the best preserved mediaeval towns in Tuscany.